Say what? David Cronenberg was asked to direct Return of the Jedi? As in, David “Body Horror” Cronenberg? Are you serious? Oh, we’re deadly serious, more serious than we’ve ever been about any David Cronenberg-related news. Yep: A long, long time ago in a Hollywood far, far away, David Cronenberg‘s name somehow found itself associated with the third Star Wars movie, which is almost as bizarre a notion as a notion you’d find in one of his movies.
Here’s what Croney had to say on the matter:
“A long time ago I was approached for one second to do a Star Wars movie, which at that time was called Revenge Of The Jedi and then became Return Of The Jedi. I was approached by Lucasfilm about that and it didn’t take them long to realize that maybe that wasn’t a good idea.”
“You’re really restricted by the format that’s been established. So for a really inventive or innovative director, that’s being put in a straitjacket. And the visual style has been established and the characters have been cast – I mean, you’re not involved in casting the leads, which is of course, for a director, a hugely important thing.”Â
Can you imagine the kind of things David Cronenberg might’ve wanted to do with the series? Han Solo gets himself into a horrific Millenium Falcon accident and loses his legs, only for Leia to find she’s way more attracted to him without them. And, then, like, Luke would probably find himself walking around with a hole in his chest for his lightsaber to stick into or something else equally weird.
No offense, David, but I think it’s probably a good thing that you weren’t involved with an Ewok-based story. Although, Cronenberg probably would’ve got rid of the little creeps, which makes this whole thing seem like a real missed opportunity. Wait. Wait one stinkin’ minute. Maybe he can direct Star Wars: Episode VII? I mean, I haven’t heard him deny it.
You heard it here first.
Source: Total Film
